Catherine,
As a transplanted Welsh woman , now living in America who actually, has
just returned from a trip to Wales and England, might I make a couple of
suggestions?
Take your "want to see" ideas, and halve them. The British Isles are small,
but there is so much to see, that you want to give yourself the luxury of
taking time at a place that enchants you .
When renting a car, find out if one of your credit cards actually covers you
for 15 days of CDW insurance. My Mastercard did, this saved me over 100
pounds. ($150) Otherwise you must pay out extra CDW insurance.
Also, watch where you rent the car, some airports and cities charge a
location charge of 15 pounds sterling. I saved money by getting a lift to a
smaller city, and renting the car there.
I strongly suggest, that you not be tempted into forking out cash at Hotels.
Bed and breakfasts all around England and Wales vary in their type, but most
are wonderful, and some are much much nicer than any hotel. For between 30-40
pounds sterling, I stayed in some wonderful farmhouses, many of which have en
suite bathrooms these days. Coffee and tea making facilities were offered,
often a television in the room. Best of all, a really good breakfast, and
getting to know local folk...who by the way, also can tip you off to little
known tourist attractions, the best restaurant in town, or which pub to try.
Because these are houses, not hotels, often one gets the best of views. The
other advantage to this, is if you are willing to look around each day, for
that night's accomadation, then you can be free to wander about the country,
and not be tied into a reservation. I like to travel that way. But then, I
love adventure!
MUST haves on the trip will be good walking shoes, a jacket, and an
umbrella.
One can find out the exchange rate on the internet, it ran $1.52 to 1 pound
sterling whilst I was there.
Petrol prices are high, there were 78 pence per litre ..about.. last month,
but due to go up.
Hope some of these ideas help.
Have a wonderful trip.
Fiona Siobhan Powell
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